The Debate Over Renaming the Scottish Government: Understanding the Implications

The discussion regarding whether the Scottish Government should be renamed as the Government of Scotland is a sensitive topic, often polarizing opinions. This article delves into the merits and demerits of such a change, exploring the concepts of national identity, administration, and practical implications.

Understanding the Administration vs. Government Dynamic

One of the key points made in defense of the current name is that the Scottish Government is not a government in the traditional sense. Instead, it is described as an administration, which implies a different level of sovereignty and jurisdiction. Critics argue that renaming it to the Government of Scotland would give a misleading sense of its powers and responsibilities, suggesting a higher level of control over matters that are primarily handled by the devolved Scottish Parliament.

Example: “They can’t handle the devolved powers they have been given let alone a whole country”.
Devolved powers in Scotland include areas such as education, health, and certain aspects of social security, which are distinct from the reserved powers of the UK government. Renaming the Scottish Government as the Government of Scotland may suggest that it has the capability to handle broader national issues, which may not be accurate.

Cultural and Historical Contexts

Another argument against the renaming involves the cultural and historical context of Scotland. Scotland is known for its distinct cultural elements, places, and traditions, such as the Loch Ness, Haggis, Aberdeen, and The Beano. These cultural symbols are often seen as integral to Scottish identity, existing independently of ethnicity. Example: “Loch Ness is Scottish. Haggis is Scottish. Aberdeen is Scottish. The Beano is Scottish.”

Renaming the Scottish Government does not necessarily reflect a change in culture or history. The current name, Scottish Government, correctly identifies the body as one that represents Scotland's interests without explicitly linking it to ethnic identity.

National Identity and Citizenship

The notion of national identity is closely tied to citizenship. The Scottish Government is a representative body intended to serve the citizens of Scotland, regardless of their ethnicity or nationality. As Scottish is the adjectival form of the country, it is appropriate to use this term to describe the government. The Kingdom of the Scots is an outdated term that refers to a historical period and is not reflective of the current political structure.

Example: “Scottish is the adjectival form of Scotland and does not refer to ethnicity. The formal name of the country is Kingdom of the Scots but this really refers to citizenship ie all our citizens are Scots.”

The term Scottish Government is used to emphasize that the administration represents the people of Scotland, rather than a specific ethnic group. Non-citizens from Scotland's diaspora may have a strong connection to the country and its culture, but they are not citizens and thus not Scots in the strict sense.

Practical Implications and Necessity

Renaming the Scottish Government is not only a matter of semantics but also a question of practicality. The change would require extensive rebranding efforts, including signage, official documents, and digital content. The costs associated with this transition would be significant and could be redirected towards more pressing needs, such as healthcare or education.

Example: “It would also be extremely expensive and waste other manpower and physical resources that are far more needed elsewhere. It would create thousands of unnecessary waste products from signage, stationary and all the intellectual, digital and physical operations needed to action it.”

Additionally, the meaning of the name would not fundamentally change. As noted, Scottish Government can be translated into “government of Scotland” in Gaelic, highlighting that the term already serves to describe the administration accurately in linguistic terms.

Conclusion

The debate surrounding whether the Scottish Government should be renamed to the Government of Scotland is complex and multifaceted. While the term Scottish Government correctly conveys the nature of the administration and its role in representing Scotland's citizens, the practical and economic implications of a name change must also be considered. Ultimately, the current name serves the purpose and should remain unchanged.